D'backs try to avoid the brooms in Atlanta

Trevor Cahill and the Arizona Diamondbacks will try to end skids Sunday when they conclude a three-game series against the Atlanta Braves.

The D'backs, who have lost five of their last six games, are in danger of being swept in this set after falling 11-5 yesterday afternoon.

Not only has Cahill yet to post a win this month, but the right-hander hasn't notched a victory since May 17 at Miami. He is 0-5 over his last seven starts. That includes a loss at Washington Tuesday when he was pounded for eight hits and six runs in five innings. He's lost both of his career starts against Atlanta and has a 6.75 ERA.

Paul Maholm, who counters for the Braves, has a 1-3 mark with a 4.62 ERA in seven lifetime starts against the Diamondbacks. The lefty, who turned 31 Tuesday, pitched a week ago in a win at Milwaukee when he allowed eight hits and four runs. That broke a personal two-game slide.

Two-run scoring hits from Jason Heyward and Brian McCann highlighted a seven- run eighth in yesterday's game.

Arizona took a 5-4 lead on a solo homer from Miguel Montero in the top of the frame, but an erratic David Hernandez (4-5) was unable to hold onto it in the bottom half.

He plunked consecutive batters and then allowed two straight hits, with Heyward bringing in two runs thanks to a throwing error from Jason Kubel on his double into left, which gave the Braves a 6-5 edge.

Atlanta then broke it open against Arizona reliever Tony Sipp on a two-run single from McCann, an RBI double from Dan Uggla and a sacrifice fly from B.J. Upton. Chris Johnson's RBI single off J.J. Putz then capped the outburst.

"That's how baseball games are and that's how baseball seasons are," said Johnson. "It's just the teams that try to minimize it and keep it rolling. Just try to stay confident and stay positive and just keep grinding."

Jordan Walden (3-1) had his 13-inning scoreless streak snapped on Montero's homer, but picked up the win thanks to the Braves' big eighth inning.

Justin Upton had three hits and Freddie Freeman hit a two-run homer, but Tim Hudson saw his career-long winless streak extended to 11 starts. He gave up four runs on five hits and three walks in 5 2/3 frames.

Ian Kennedy also gave up four runs on five hits in his return from a 10-game suspension. He only lasted 4 1/3 frames for Arizona, which has lost five of its last six contests.

"Seven walks, three hit batsmen, made an error," said Arizona manager Kirk Gibson on his team's mistakes. "It's disappointing."

Atlanta leads the season series, 3-2.